The best word to describe the Cordillera Real is majestic, but you could use any other word that denotes greatness. The Cordillera Real,with its most impressive mountains, is aptly named. And they're imposing. The mountains set the pace. Walk slow enough so as not to get breathless (the combination of the cold temperatures and the effort you exert can burn the lungs), but don't have too many breaks else the cold will make you numb. The deafening silence is initially caused by the mountainous scenery: in the piercing cold, you can see the snowy peaks in the reflections of the clear lakes.
I didn't have any ropes or ice picks. I just wanted to spend a few days walking among the freshness, the isolation and the breathtaking scenery of the Cordillera Real. And I wasn't disappointed. After three hours on the altitude trails, I'd already forgotten what it was like to be covered in sweat in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. The sublime Illimani mountain, the second highest mountain you can find when travelling in Bolivia, left me speechless.